William Wells Brown partnership will expand a community garden and add an outdoor learning station and greenhouse
An expanded community garden, an outdoor learning station, and a greenhouse will give students at William Wells Brown Elementary School in Lexington new ways to explore science, agriculture, and healthy living through a partnership with 网曝吃瓜 University.
The school and University celebrated the new partnership at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at William Wells Brown Elementary during 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Homecoming Week.
Three 网曝吃瓜 alumni are helping connect the University鈥檚 expertise with the school: Principal Ebony Hutchinson; Jeffrey Coles, a Cooperative Extension area agent for the Small Farm Program; and Dr. Sait Sarr, a senior research scientist in the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources.
鈥淭his partnership is especially meaningful because it brings together the university that helped shape my own educational journey with the school community I have the privilege of serving,鈥� Hutchinson said. 鈥淥ur students will have the opportunity to learn by doing 鈥� growing food, exploring science and the environment, and experiencing firsthand how agriculture and research connect to their everyday lives.鈥�
The planned garden expansion will give students more space to plant, grow, and care for crops, connecting lessons about food production and nutrition with the work of tending a garden. Students also will learn about environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
An outdoor learning station will provide a setting for teachers to take science, nature, and agriculture lessons beyond the classroom. Coles will bring Cooperative Extension expertise in agriculture and small-farm education to support the collaboration.
鈥淭his partnership allows us to bring agriculture and experiential learning directly to students,鈥� Coles said. 鈥淭he garden, outdoor learning station and greenhouse will give young people an opportunity to see, touch and experience what they are learning.鈥�
Plans for a greenhouse will extend opportunities for hands-on learning throughout the year, allowing students to observe plant life cycles and explore growing conditions in a controlled environment. Together, the three projects will create a living classroom where students can connect scientific concepts with their observations.
鈥淭he garden, outdoor learning station and greenhouse represent much more than physical improvements to the school,鈥� Dr. Sarr said. 鈥淭hey create opportunities for students to ask questions, conduct observations, understand scientific concepts and see how research and discovery can be part of their everyday lives.鈥�
Members of 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 Lexington and National Alumni Associations joined students, faculty, staff, and University representatives for the Oct. 8 celebration, which included a presentation about the partnership and planned projects. Alumni representatives also will provide snacks from Subway for all 336 students.
The collaboration is intended to lay the groundwork for continued opportunities in agriculture, science, environmental education, nutrition, and mentorship. For Kentucky鈥檚 only public HBCU and 1890 land-grant university, it offers another way to bring education, research, and Extension into the communities it serves 鈥� and introduce young learners to the possibilities of higher education.
Photo Captions
Lead Photo: From left to right: Jeffery Coles, Benjamin Thomas, and Dr. Sait Sarr.
Photo 1: From left to right: Retired Brigadier General Henry Huntley, Tony Foster, Ms. Ebony Hutchinson, Dr. Sait Sarr, and Jeffery Coles.
Photo 2: Top row, from left to right: Myra Moore, Jamie Owens, Tracy Holmes, and Genell Ballew with childrens.
Photo 3: Jeffery Coles and Dr. Sait Sarr participating in student activities.
Photo 4: Children enjoying their lunch.